Railways Clauses Consolidation Act, 1845

Construction of bridges carrying railway over roads.

49. Every bridge to be erected for the purpose of carrying the railway over any road shall (except where otherwise provided by the special Act) be built in conformity with the following regulations; (that is to say,)

The width of the arch shall be such as to leave thereunder a clear space of not less than thirty-five feet if the arch be over a turnpike road, and of twenty-five feet if over a public carriage road, and of twelve feet if over a private road:

The clear height of the arch from the surface of the road shall not be less than sixteen feet for a space of twelve feet if the arch be over a turnpike road, and fifteen feet for a space of ten feet if over a public carriage road; and in each of such cases the clear height at the springing of the arch shall not be less than twelve feet:

The clear height of the arch for a space of nine feet shall not be less than fourteen feet over a private carriage road:

The descent made in the road in order to carry the same under the bridge shall not be more than one foot in thirty feet if the bridge be over a turnpike road, one foot in twenty feet if over a public carriage road, and one foot in sixteen feet if over a private carriage road, not being a tramroad or railroad, or if the same be a tramroad or railroad the descent shad not be greater than the prescribed rate of inclination, and if no rate be prescribed the same shall not be greater than as it existed at the passing of the special Act.